In 2026, the global construction equipment industry is experiencing a profound battle over "right to repair." From John Deere's ongoing lawsuits in the United States to Chinese brands rolling out service strategies at ConExpo 2026, parts and the aftermarket are moving from behind the scenes to center stage, becoming the key battleground that will determine the industry's landscape.

The Right-to-Repair Battle: John Deere Again in the Thick of Litigation

In May 2026, John Deere once again found itself in the spotlight. According to a report by Equipment World, Deere was hit with a new round of lawsuits for restricting the repair rights of construction and forestry equipment. This is not the first time Deere has faced such allegations -- over the past three years, the "right to repair" movement has continued to gain momentum, spanning from agricultural machinery to construction equipment.

The core issue in the litigation is straightforward: Do equipment owners have the right to perform their own repairs or choose third-party repair service providers, rather than being forced to rely on OEM parts and service networks? For giants like Deere, OEM parts and services are a major source of profit; for users, self-repair means lower downtime costs and higher equipment availability.

The U.S. House of Representatives is also advancing the Modernize Automotive Act, which, while not fully incorporating all provisions of the Right to Repair Act (REPAIR Act), has seen Massachusetts take the lead by extending right-to-repair protections to commercial vehicles. The impact of this trend on the construction equipment industry should not be underestimated -- when regulations require manufacturers to open up repair data and parts supply, the rules of competition for the entire aftermarket will be rewritten.

Parts Availability: Still the Most Critical Factor in Repair Decisions

Fleet Equipment Magazine's in-depth report in early 2026 pointed out: Parts availability remains the number one factor driving repair decisions. This conclusion comes from a large-scale survey of North American fleets -- when equipment breaks down, the time from downtime to returning to operation directly determines the project's schedule and cost.

Survey data shows that for every additional day spent waiting for parts, the average daily loss on large projects can reach thousands of dollars. EquipXR's "Heavy Equipment Downtime Cost Calculator," launched in 2026, further quantified this issue: for a 30-ton class excavator, the hourly cost of downtime is approximately $300-$500, and differences in parts supply chain efficiency can cause downtime to vary by 2 to 5 times.

This means that the responsiveness of the parts supply chain is not just a logistics issue -- it is a business issue that directly affects the user's return on investment. Whoever can deliver parts to users faster and more cheaply will gain the upper hand in the aftermarket.

Cost Trends: Short-Term Eases Cannot Mask the Long-Term Upward Trajectory

FreightWaves' analysis reveals a contradiction worth noting: in the fourth quarter of 2025, parts and labor costs saw a slight pullback, but the five-year trend line continues to rise. In other words, short-term price fluctuations cannot change the long-term trend of rising parts and repair costs.

Factors driving cost increases include: raw material price volatility, higher logistics costs from global supply chain restructuring, increased repair labor hours due to growing technical complexity, and the strengthening of OEM parts pricing power. For users in developing countries, import tariffs and exchange rate fluctuations on parts further amplify cost pressures.

This is precisely the backdrop against which Chinese construction equipment brands are accelerating their layout in the aftermarket -- by establishing localized parts warehouses, developing authorized service networks, and launching more cost-effective alternative parts solutions, Chinese brands are offering global users more competitive repair cost options.

Chinese Brands' Breakthrough in the Aftermarket

At the 2026 ConExpo-Con/AGG show, Chinese brands' aftermarket strategies were particularly noteworthy. SANY America launched a brand-new parts and service initiative at the show, covering rapid parts supply, remote diagnostic systems, and preventive maintenance programs. LGMG introduced the ProCare global service brand, focusing on a "proactive service" philosophy -- using equipment data monitoring to provide early warnings of potential faults, transforming reactive repair into proactive prevention.

Behind these moves lies the strategic transformation of Chinese construction equipment companies from "selling equipment" to "selling services." With the global construction equipment fleet continuing to grow in volume, the value of the aftermarket is being reassessed. According to industry estimates, over a construction machine's 10- to 15-year lifecycle, total aftermarket spending (parts, repair, maintenance) is typically 2 to 3 times the equipment's purchase cost.

Who can capture a larger share of this trillion-dollar market depends on who can build a service network that is globally coverage, fast in response, and cost-controlled. Chinese brands, leveraging their service experience and technical expertise in the domestic market, are replicating this capability in overseas markets.

Digital Tools: Reshaping the Parts Supply Chain

Digital technology is fundamentally changing the way parts supply chains operate. EquipXR's downtime cost calculator is just the tip of the iceberg -- the deeper transformation comes from the widespread adoption of parts demand forecasting, smart warehousing, and remote diagnostic systems.

Through equipment sensor data and AI algorithms, systems can predict parts replacement needs before failures occur, achieving "repair before it breaks." This not only reduces downtime but also optimizes parts inventory management -- shifting from "stock just in case" to "precise stocking." For multinational equipment management companies, this means a significant reduction in parts capital tie-up and a notable improvement in service responsiveness.

Practical Recommendations for Users

Facing the changing landscape of the aftermarket, equipment users can optimize their repair strategies in the following areas:

First, evaluate the reliability of the parts supply chain. When purchasing equipment, look beyond the price and performance of the machine itself -- also examine the brand's local parts supply capability and after-sales service network coverage. Brands such as SANY and LGMG have established fairly comprehensive parts warehousing systems in major global markets.

Second, stay informed about right-to-repair policy changes. As right-to-repair legislation advances in various countries, users may gain more options for self-repair in the future. Understanding the policy direction in your market ahead of time can help you make more flexible repair decisions.

Third, use digital tools to manage your equipment. Remote monitoring, preventive maintenance, and online parts ordering are becoming standard features. Choosing equipment and suppliers that support these capabilities can significantly reduce total lifecycle costs.

Fourth, consider more cost-effective parts solutions. While ensuring quality, authorized alternative parts (rather than relying solely on OEM parts) can substantially reduce repair costs. Choosing suppliers with quality certifications is key.

Conclusion

The construction equipment aftermarket is evolving from "after-sales service" into a "strategic battlefield." The right-to-repair battle, the parts supply chain race, digital transformation -- these seemingly different dimensions of change all point to one reality: whoever controls the parts conversation controls the long-term value of the user.

For Chinese construction equipment brands, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. On the trillion-dollar global aftermarket stage, the competition in service capability has only just begun. For information on parts supply and after-sales solutions for specific equipment, feel free to contact our sales team. EquipNode will provide you with professional equipment procurement and aftermarket service support.